Propane leak closes busy South Bend intersection

Mechanical failure sparked blaze.

August 08, 2012|By TOM MOOR | South Bend Tribune

South Bend Tribune/JAMES BROSHER South Bend firefighters douse a construction vehicle after an asphalt apparatus containing four 100-gallon propane tanks on the back of the truck caught fire on Wednesday behind the Speedway gas station at the corner of Indiana 23 and Edison Road in South Bend. There were no injuries, but the busy intersection was closed and nearby residents were evacuated.

SOUTH BEND -- Several people were forced to evacuate and a busy intersection was closed for about two hours at lunchtime Wednesday because of a propane leak behind a Speedway gas station near the Notre Dame campus.

Firefighters responded to the parking lot behind 1706 South Bend Ave. about 11:40 a.m. after several propane tanks caught fire as a result of the leak. Four, 100-pound tanks on a trailer behind the station were engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

After about two hours, the flames were controlled and the tanks were cooled until all the product was expelled and the scene -- located at the corner of South Bend Avenue and Edison Road -- was determined to be safe.

An entire block was evacuated while firefighters worked to contain the blaze and leak, including several workers at the Speedway.

No injuries were reported.

The tanks are owned by Northern Indiana Mechanical. The machinery was being used as part of a parking lot surface repair project where infrared heaters are used to soften asphalt.

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The fire was accidental and caused by a mechanical failure which allowed escaping gas to ignite, South Bend Fire Marshal Chico Rodriguez said.